2028 Watchlist: The Ones to Watch

The Class of 2028 is loaded with young talent ready to make their mark this season. These athletes aren't just future prospects they're already stepping into big roles and finding ways to impact their teams on Friday nights. From playmakers who can change the game with one snap to leaders who set the tone for their programs, this group is showing early signs of being special. Keep an eye on these rising names as they continue to develop, because the foundation they're laying now could shape the future of their schools for years to come.    Hayden made his presence felt during his recent scrimmage, showing flashes of why he belongs on the 2028 watchlist. With his ability to get open and make plays in space, he's a receiver that defenses will have to account for all year. What makes Hayden exciting is that he's still putting all his tools together, which means his ceiling is even higher than what he's already shown. If he continues to sharpen his route running and build on his early momentum, expect him to be a consistent playmaker for his team this season.     Simione brings size, strength, and toughness to the trenches, making him a key presence on the defensive front. He plays with a motor that allows him to disrupt plays at the line of scrimmage, whether it's stuffing the run or collapsing the pocket. His physicality sets the tone for his defense, and as he continues to develop his technique, he has the potential to be a dominant force up front.     Reagan thrives in the trenches with his strength and ability to control the line of scrimmage. He does a great job using his hands to disengage from blockers and has the quickness to get into the backfield and disrupt plays. Against the run, he's tough to move and holds his ground, while his effort in chasing down plays makes him a steady contributor. Reagan's skill set gives his defense a reliable presence up front.     Peter is a reliable force in the trenches who brings toughness and consistency to the offensive line. He excels in run blocking, driving defenders off the ball and opening up clear lanes for his backs. His hand placement and leverage give him an edge at the point of attack, while his footwork allows him to stay balanced and adjust to different rushers. In pass protection, Peter shows patience and discipline, keeping defenders in front of him and giving his quarterback a clean pocket. His physicality, awareness, and ability to finish blocks make him one of the most dependable players up front this season.     Tylan is a dynamic playmaker who is poised for a breakout season. He shows great speed and quickness, making him difficult to cover and allowing him to create separation at all levels of the field. Tylan has reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches, giving his quarterback a trusted target in key moments. Beyond just his physical tools, he has a knack for reading defenses and finding soft spots in coverage. If he continues to refine his routes and build on his early success, Tylan could be one of the top playmakers on his team this year.     Justyce is a quarterback who knows how to take control of a game and lead his offense effectively. He has a strong arm and delivers the ball with accuracy, giving his receivers a chance to make plays downfield. His poise in the pocket and ability to read defenses allows him to make smart decisions under pressure. Justyce is also a natural leader, rallying his teammates and keeping the offense organized. With continued development this season, he has the tools to make a big impact and guide his team to success.     Jordan is a versatile running back who can make defenders miss and gain yards after contact. This offseason and summer, he put in serious work, refining his footwork, building strength, and improving his speed to take his game to the next level. His vision on the field allows him to quickly identify lanes and make decisive cuts, turning short opportunities into big plays. With his balance, agility, and added offseason improvements, Jordan is ready to put it all together and be a go to playmaker for his team this season.     Denim is a defensive back who is taking his game to the next level this season. With improved footwork, reaction time, and ball skills from his offseason work, he's quicker to read plays and more confident in making decisive moves in coverage. He's not just locking down receivers he's elevating his presence in run support, showing physicality and awareness that make him a complete defender. Denim's ability to impact multiple areas of the game shows he's ready to be a true playmaker and a cornerstone of his team's defense.     Brady is a powerful presence on the defensive line who has been elevating his game through offseason training and focused development. He's improved his hand technique, leverage, and burst off the line, allowing him to shed blocks more effectively and disrupt plays in the backfield. Brady combines strength with smart positioning, making it difficult for opponents to move him in the run game. His growing consistency and ability to create pressure make him a key factor for his team's defense this season.     Brailon is a quarterback who is determined to elevate his game this season. Over the offseason, he has focused on refining his mechanics, improving his footwork in the pocket, and sharpening his decision-making under pressure. He has a strong arm and the ability to deliver accurate passes to all levels of the field, and his growing confidence allows him to lead the offense with poise.     Carter is a quarterback who has the tools and work ethic to take his game to the next level. This offseason, he's focused on improving his accuracy, timing with his receivers, and reading defenses more effectively. Carter's arm strength allows him to make throws to all areas of the field, while his calmness under pressure keeps his offense moving smoothly. With his continued growth and dedication, he's poised to be a leader on the field and a key factor in his team's success this season.     Dominic is a defensive back who has been working hard to elevate every aspect of his game. Over the offseason, he focused on improving his footwork, speed, and ball skills, making him quicker and more confident in coverage.     Carson is a technically sound and powerful offensive lineman who excels at controlling the line of scrimmage. He does a great job maintaining leverage, keeping defenders off balance, and creating running lanes for his backs. In pass protection, his quick hands and balance allow him to neutralize rushers and give his quarterback time to make plays. His footwork and awareness help him adjust to different defensive looks, making him a consistent and reliable presence up front.     Brock is a defensive back who continues to elevate every part of his game. He reads the quarterback and offensive formations with sharp awareness, allowing him to anticipate plays and react quickly. In coverage, Brock uses his speed, agility, and footwork to stay close to receivers and make contested catches difficult. He's also physical in run support, showing strong tackling technique and the ability to make stops in open space. Brock's combination of instincts, athleticism, and growing confidence makes him a versatile playmaker who can impact every aspect of the defensive backfield this season.     Drake is an offensive lineman who is ready to elevate his game this season. He's strong at the point of attack, using his hands and leverage to control defenders and consistently open running lanes. His footwork, balance, and awareness allow him to adjust to different pass rush moves, keeping his quarterback protected in the pocket. Drake also shows toughness and endurance, sustaining blocks downfield and finishing plays with power. Over the offseason, he has been focused on refining his technique, improving his agility, and developing consistency in all areas of his game. With his combination of strength, skill, and dedication, Drake is poised to be a cornerstone of his team's offensive line this season.     Patrick is a quarterback who has quickly emerged as a name to watch this season. He's spent the offseason working hard to improve every aspect of his game, refining his mechanics, sharpening his footwork, and developing a quicker, more accurate release. Patrick has also focused on reading defenses better and building chemistry with his receivers, showing dedication to truly mastering his craft. With his arm strength, poise, and commitment to improvement, he's poised to make a major impact and be a key playmaker for his team this season.     Mile is a defensive back who has been working hard to elevate his game this offseason. He's focused on improving his footwork, reaction time, and ball skills, making him sharper and more confident in coverage. Mile reads plays quickly, breaks on the ball with precision, and stays physical in run support, making him a versatile presence in the secondary.     Maximos is a defensive lineman who has put in the work this summer and is ready to apply everything he's learned this season. He's focused on improving his hand technique, leverage, and explosiveness off the line, making him more disruptive in the trenches. Maximos combines strength with smart positioning, allowing him to control blocks and create opportunities in the backfield. His dedication to refining his skills and understanding the game sets him up to be a consistent playmaker and a key factor for his team's defense this season.     Cooper is a quarterback who is quickly becoming a name to watch this season. He's been putting in the work to refine his mechanics, improve his decision-making, and sharpen his timing with his receivers. With the opportunity to see significant time on the field, Cooper has the chance to showcase his arm strength, accuracy, and leadership in game situations. As he continues to put all the pieces together, expect him to be a key playmaker and a driving force for his team this season.     Oswald is a defensive lineman who brings a physical edge and relentless effort to the trenches. He thrives at the point of attack, using his strength and leverage to control blockers and shut down running lanes. What sets him apart is his quick first step, which allows him to create early disruption and pressure the quarterback. This offseason, Oswald has worked hard on refining his hand usage, footwork, and explosiveness, making him more versatile and dangerous up front. His motor and toughness ensure that he's active on every snap, whether collapsing the pocket or chasing plays down the line     Reshard showed flashes of what he's capable of doing, and this upcoming season he looks ready to elevate his game to another level. This offseason, he focused on sharpening his mechanics, improving his timing with receivers, and gaining a stronger command of the offense. Reshard, who plays quarterback, has a big arm for his age, allowing him to push the ball downfield and stretch defenses. Along with his confidence, poise, and playmaking ability, he has shown the tools to lead his team and make a real impact this year.    The athletes on this Class of 2028 watchlist are just getting started, but their potential and impact are already hard to ignore. As they continue to grow and develop, expect them to be key names driving their teams forward and earning bigger attention along the way. This season is only the beginning of what should be exciting careers to follow. Texas is loaded with talent in all cities , this just part I. Stay tune for part 2 of class of 2028.

The Class of 2028 is loaded with young talent ready to make their mark this season. These athletes aren't just future prospects they're already stepping into big roles and finding ways to impact their teams on Friday nights. From playmakers who can change the game with one snap to leaders who set the tone for their programs, this group is showing early signs of being special. Keep an eye on these rising names as they continue to develop, because the foundation they're laying now could shape the future of their schools for years to come.